Microwave ovens

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stravaigin

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We're fitting out a sailaway 48' sloop. We've got a Wallas Diesel stove but think a microwave might be a useful addition. We will have AC and DC power - the price difference between the two is staggering. What are the power consumption implications and, if you've got a microwave on board, how much do you use it? Any recommendations / do not touch with a bargepole welcome!
Thanks
 
we have been considering MW. If you have AC on board (generator) I would go for AC version of MW. One have to take in to account that efficiency of the MW is 50W so for 650W will consume 1300W at maximum. In case of inverter this will require one at this level.
We never installed one and during 6 month of sailing in MED we never felt to need one.

Best regards,

Slavko
 
Definitely ac microwave. The smaller and cheaper the better ie. ordinary domestic. When it goes rusty, just throw it away (sorry, I mean dispose of in an environmentally sensitive manner) and spend another £60 down the local version of Comet.
 
We have an ac microwave and a fixed generator. We find it quite useful - more so than we ever found one in a home kitchen, probably because our boat cooker has fewer rings. We do use it at sea, off the generator. I wouldn't consider a dc version, it would take too much out of the batteries and the load is comparable to cranking an engine for several minutes constantly. This means that you'd want to specify cranking batteries as the main 'house' batteries and, unfortunately, those don't tolerate regular deep discharge very well.

So yes, it's very worthwhile on a yacht your size, but go for a normal mains one. When ours dies we will replace it by one with an internal grill; they are not much more expensive and they are brilliant, especially if your cooker doesn't have a grill.
 
You'll find it very handy - particulary if you have only two burner stove.

We use it for cooking vegetables, defrosting stuff from freezer. We also have a hand/neck warmer that one heats up with a microwave.

Ours is AC - we run it off a 1500 watt inverter.
 
Hi! I have just ripped out the old gas oven and replaced it with a combi Microwave oven. Does both jobs beautifully, roast dinners in half the time! AC always!
Regards
Rob
 
As long as your generator is quiet enough or not too close to you when in use then you MUST go for the AC voltage type...cheaper etc.etc..
We ran one off an inverter but that meant running the engine because of the current draw, but we considered it worth the inconvinience when moored in the bays and coves around the Balearics where we couldn't afford a marina berth.
Just mentioned the noise as we have friends who have to start their genny to boil the kettle..kills the conversation!

Phil
 
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